SUMMARY
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MANILA, Philippines – Newly crowned Miss Earth Philippines 2018 Silvia Celeste Cortesi’s win was both expected and unexpected in the 18-year-old pageant. She’s the first winner after the pageant was rebranded from its former name, Miss Philippines Earth.
Aside from being one of the favorites to win, the model from Italy is part of a diverse set of winners. Miss Philippines Air Zahra Bianca Saldua, who competed in Miss World Philippines, is a practicing Muslim. Zamboanga Sibugay’s Halimatu Yushawu, who was teased for dark skin when she was younger, won Miss Philippines Ecotourism. (FULL LIST: Winners, Miss Earth Philippines 2018)
But just who is Celeste? Here are a few things you need to know about the 20-year-old stunner:
A trailblazer. Celeste is the first contestant from Filipino communities abroad to win the title. In Miss Earth Philippines, contestants represent different cities and towns, as well as Filipino communities based abroad. While contestants from Filipino communities have made it to the top 5 in the past, it’s the first for someone from the group to have the honor of representing the country in the Miss Earth competition.
Model example. Before joining the world of pageantry, Celeste started a modeling career in Italy.
Italy before the Philippines. Back in Italy, Celeste joined the local Miss Earth Philippines competition. She represented the Filipino community in Rome.
Life wasn’t always easy. In an interview posted on the Miss Earth Philippines website, Celeste admitted going through a rough time during her formative years in Italy.
“I [had] a tough life as a child, but never lost my will to live life happily and be hopeful [for] greater things to have a peaceful life,” she said.
‘Trees are life.’ Celeste advocates for the importance of trees. In an interview on the Miss Earth Philippines website, she said: “My advocacy is about trees in Italy because I believe we should protect our urban fragile forest, because trees are life. And the perfect example is here in Italy, for the existence of a law that protects monumental trees.”
Watch her advocacy video about the importance of saving and planting trees.
– Rappler.com
More Miss Earth Philippines
- Silvia Celeste Cortesi wins Miss Earth Philippines 2018!
- Miss Earth Philippines 2018 Silvia Celeste Cortesi’s winning answers
- FULL LIST: Winners, Miss Earth Philippines 2018
- IN PHOTOS: Miss Earth Philippines 2018, ‘Dyosa ng Kalikasan’ segment
- IN PHOTOS: Miss Earth Philippines 2018, evening gown segment
- IN PHOTOS: Miss Earth Philippines 2018, swimsuit segment
- Predictions: Who will win Miss Earth Philippines 2018?
- Highlights: Miss Earth Philippines 2018 coronation night
- Where are they now? Former Miss Earth PH contestants who shine in different fields
- Miss Earth Philippines winners: Where are they now?
- IN PHOTOS: The candidates of Miss Earth Philippines 2018
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